Noor Hossain day observed

The historic Shaheed Noor Hossain Day on Tuesday was observed all over the country in commemoration of the supreme sacrifice made by apro-democracy activist Noor Hossain for restoration of democracy.
Noor Hossain, a motor driver by profession sacrificed his life in an attempt to overthrow the autocratic regime of General H.M. Ershad and revive multi-party democracy during opposition called "Dhaka Siege" program. Different socio-cultural organizations and ruling Awami League held elaborate programs, holding discussions and seminars to observe the auspicious day.
The ruling Awami League placed floral wreaths at Shaheed Noor Hossain Square at 7:00am and offered special prayers seeking eternal peace of the departed soul. Jatiya Party does commemorate the day but refers to it as "Democracy Day".  In a statement on Monday, Awami League General Secretary and Minister for Public Administration Syed Ashraful Islam urged party units across the country and people from all strata to observe the Shaheed Noor Hossain Day in a befitting manner.
It was first called "Historic November 10 observance" but the Awami League supported the phrase "Noor Hossain Day", by which it is presently known.
CPB President Mujahidul Islam Selim said, "Bangladesh has yet to achieve the dream of Noor Hossain, the dream of democracy. His inspiration and devotion will be inspiring the new generation as like a lighthouse."  
He also said, "It is true that the blood of Noor Hossain has not gone futile. However, it cannot be said that we have established a standard democratic country."
The MP of Panchagar-1 and also JSD leader Nazmul Haque Prodhan urged the countrymen to unite against the militancy, communal and anti-liberation forces.
He said, "We need to recall and renew the spirit for democracy inspired by Noor Hossain. It is high time we walked together towards a progressive future motivated by the fortitude of 1771 and other movements for the democracy afterwards."           
President of Sammilito Sangskritik Jote, a leading cultural platform, Golam Kuddus said, "Noor Hossain devoted his life for democracy. His devotion is resisting all the undemocratic ideas."
However, we have yet to achieve the country's position he (Noor Hossain) wanted to see. But one day we must reach the position, I am sure about."
"The blood of martyrs will not go in vain," he added.  
BM Mojammel Haq, Awami League MP recalled the memory of Noor Hosain.
"His name will be written for thousands year in the history for democracy. His ultimate sacrifice strengthened the movement and accelerated the fall of the autocratic ruler.
"We need to renew the spirit."
"Recently an anti-liberal group is plotting against the country and also pampering militancy. We need to unite again like that time for the sake of the country as well as democratization," he added.
Hossain's ancestral home on his father's side was in the village of Jhatibunia, which is located in Mathbaria Upazila, Pirojpur District. His father was an autorickshaw operator. His family moved to Banagram Road, in old Dhaka after the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971.
Noor Hossain attended Radhasundari Primary School, which was also on Banagram Road. When he was in 8th grade at Graduate High School, Dhaka, Hossain quit school because of poverty. He was admitted to a motor driving school and received training in driving like his father.
Interested in politics, Hossain became the publicity secretary of the Banagram unit committee of Dhaka City Joubo League.
The ultimate sacrifice by Noor Hossain and others during the mass upsurge in the late 1990s intensified the movement, forcing autocratic ruler HM Ershad to relinquish power on December 6, 1990. The mass upsurge toppled the military strongman.
The sacrifice of Hossain expedited the anti-autocracy movement and ushered in multi-party democracy.
The "Zero Point" in the capital's at the intersection of General Post Office (GPO) and Bangladesh Secretariat was renamed Noor Hossain Square after the young person when a bullet pierced his body on November 10, 1987.
On the day in 1987, Awami Juba League leader Noor Hossain, who imprinted his bare chest and back with "Free democracy" and "Down with autocracy", embraced martyrdom in police shootout at capital's Zero Point.
His ultimate sacrifice strengthened the movement and expedited the fall of the autocratic ruler and restoration of democracy.
Since the day of martyrdom, the day is being observed as Shaheed Noor Hossain Day every year.
Although Ershad had been in power since March 1982 through a coup d'état, he won the October 1987 election but opponents claimed large-scale election fraud.
The Awami League and Bangladesh National Party united in opposition against Ershad's rule.
After Ershad quite chief executive office, Begum Khaleda Zia, chairperson of Bangladesh Nationalists Party (BNP) was elected as Bangladesh's first female president and a year later the government established a national date to commemorate the event.
In 1996, Ershad officially apologized for Hossain's death before parliament and also to Hossain's father. Ershad maintained his apology but also criticized the opposition in using Hossain as a symbol against his government.
Ends/saleemsamad